News
Oxford Chabad was vandalised with swastika on anniversary of October 7
Graffiti motivated by ‘extreme and irrational hate of Israel’, says Jewish student centre director
December 5, 2024 12:55
Graffiti motivated by ‘extreme and irrational hate of Israel’, says Jewish student centre director
December 5, 2024 12:55A swastika was scrawled on the front of a Jewish student centre in Oxford on the morning of Simchat Torah this year, the anniversary of October 7, in the latest in a spate of “hate" incidents on campus.
The graffiti was found on the blue sign of the Oxford Chabad Slager Jewish Centre on October 25 and was reported to Thames Valley Police.
Rabbi Eli Brackman, director of the Oxford University Chabad Society, has condemned the attack as motivated by the spread of “extreme and irrational hate of Israel” on campus.
“On Simchat Torah morning, the anniversary of the 7/10 attacks, a swastika was found drawn on the front of the Oxford Chabad Slager Jewish Student Centre,” he said.
“Jewish life is strong at Oxford this year, with record numbers of Jewish students attending Friday night dinners at Chabad, and the extreme tension of last year, with the protests and encampments, largely subsided.
“Nevertheless, events at Oxford continue to traumatise Jewish students. The swastika on the front of the Chabad Slager Jewish Student Centre is just one of many examples.”
Rabbi Eli noted the “horrific anti-Israel debate” that occurred at Oxford Union last week, which saw the contentious motion that “Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide” passing by 278 votes to 59.
More than 300 academics have since signed an open letter arguing that the debate, in which speakers praised the October 7 attacks, broke the law.
“This attempt to silence and intimidate Jewish students at Oxford and boycott Israel, reminds us of the continued threat facing Jewish students and Jewish life on campus,” said Rabbi Eli.
"The drawing of the swastika highlights what happens when extreme and irrational hate of Israel is allowed to spread on university campuses.”
He said there must be a strong response to further strengthen Jewish life on campus and not allow these "forces” to intimidate students.
The Slager Jewish Student Centre was opened by the Oxford Chabad Society during Michaelmas term in 2006 and is located in the heart of Oxford on George Street.
A spokesperson from the Thames Valley Police said the incident was reported and an investigation commenced, but “it appears to have been an unwitnessed incident and from viewing CCTV, no suspect has been identified”.
"The investigation has therefore been filed, pending any new information coming to light. We would urge anybody who believes that they have any information, or who believes they witnessed this, to contact Thames Valley Police by calling 101, quoting reference 43240518993 or for 100% anonymity, the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”